Holloway Emerges As Frontrunner For McGregor

Originally posted on BoxingNews.com | Last updated Mar 26, 2026 7:24 AM ET

Max Holloway is the primary candidate to face Conor McGregor for his long-awaited Octagon return.

The rematch is reportedly being eyed for International Fight Week in Las Vegas in July. While McGregor recently teased fans on social media that “the rumors are true,” over his return, the prospect of a second fight with Holloway is just speculation for now.

McGregor faced Holloway in 2013. Despite suffering a torn ACL mid-fight, McGregor showcased his dominance to secure a unanimous decision (30-27, 30-27, 30-26). Holloway then won the featherweight belt and the BMF title, while McGregor became the first “Champ-Champ.” Any bout is expected to take place at Welterweight or a newly proposed 165-lb catchweight.

The Match-Up

Category	Conor McGregor	Max Holloway
Record	22-6-0	27-9-0
Last Win	vs. Donald Cerrone (2020)	vs. Dustin Poirier (2025)
Status	Former 2-Division Champ	Former BMF/Featherweight Champion
Age	37	34
Reach	74 inches	69 inches

While names like Michael Chandler and Jorge Masvidal have been linked to McGregor for years, Holloway offers a unique narrative. Testing that chin against McGregor’s signature left hand—even after the Irishman’s five-year layoff—is an entertaining prospect. Following his 18-month anti-doping suspension (which expired this month), McGregor is primed for a return. And that could be against Holloway.

“Max Holloway ain’t playing games. Front runner, Max Holloway. Conor McGregor, he’s confirming it right then and there [on social media]. There haven’t been any other rumors about his return. I think the UFC recognizes that they’ve gotta get the biggest star back. I think they’re gonna pay him better than they were talking to Jon Jones about, better than the Conor Benn number.

“People are going to be very excited about it, even Max said 170 [pounds]. I saw Masvidal say the UFC wants him to come back and they have an idea who the opponent is. I saw people say, ‘Oh, he’s gotta be talking about Conor’ — he’s not talking about Conor. The Conor fight is not the one they’re talking about,” Ariel Helwani said

This article first appeared on BoxingNews.com and was syndicated with permission.

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